Venables Vibes: Oklahoma Preparing for Trench Warfare in Cincinnati

Brent Venables was complimentary of the talent on Cincinnati's defensive line in his weekly press conference on Tuesday.

NORMAN — One thing’s for certain.

Brent Venables has a great respect for Cincinnati.

The No. 16-ranked Oklahoma Sooners (3-0) will visit Nippert Stadium as the Cincinnati Bearcats (2-1) host the program’s first ever Big 12 contest.

Venables touted the Bearcats’ defensive line as well as their excellent home record despite last week’s overtime defeat to Miami (OH).

Playing on OU’s Terms

Oklahoma's running game hasn't quite gotten going yet, but the Sooners let Jovantae Barnes (2) carry the load last week in Tulsa.  :: Nathan J. Fish / USA TODAY Sports

Despite the talent in Cincinnati’s front seven, Venables still believes the best teams in the country can dictate the terms of matchups each Saturday.

“I think a good team has the ability to do that, establish what you want to establish,” Venables said during his weekly press conference on Tuesday. “… I’ve said this all along, when it's time that everybody in the stadium knows you've got to run it and the opponent knows you've got to run it or throw it, you've got to have the ability to execute in those situations.

“That's what a championship team can do… Imposing your will, if you will. To me, that's what it takes to be a team that's playing in January.”

This year’s team isn’t there yet in Venables’ eyes, but that’s the aspiration.

Oklahoma would have to find rhythm on the ground to impose its will Saturday, as the Bearcats enter the week ranked as the country’s No. 45-overall run defense and 16th in sacks.

Mr. Do-it-all

Oklahoma true freshman Cayden Green made the move to left guard last week against Tulsa.  :: NATHAN J. FISH / THE OKLAHOMAN-USA TODAY NETWORK

The Sooners have thrown a lot at a couple of freshmen so far.

Defensively, Peyton Bowen has played all over the back end of the defense. He’s been deployed at safety and as OU’s cheetah linebacker, as well as making plays on special teams.

On the other side of the ball, offensive lineman Cayden Green started the year at left tackle before getting bumped into left guard last Saturday against Tulsa.

OU’s coaching staff looks for versatility on the recruiting trail, but sometimes it takes getting a player on campus to truly judge their capacity for processing multiple different positions in Year 1.

“You have your instincts during the recruiting process,” Venables said. “You know what that looks like and then you quickly find out how they learn, how they respond, how they compete, how they play.

“… Both of them – it’s not a surprise to us – have the capability of doing multiple things as they mature and age.”

Injuries have forced Oklahoma’s hand a bit this year, however,

Dasan McCullough and Justin Harrington missing time slid Bowen over to cheetah, and Savion Byrd’s exit in Tulsa expedited Green’s usage at left guard.

“In a perfect world, you zero them in and let them go get it,” Venables said. “Sometimes you can afford that and sometimes you can’t.”

Special Impact

Oklahoma safety Robert-Spears Jennings has carved out an early role on special teams.  :: Ryan Chapman / AllSooners.com

Competitive depth — one of the themes of fall camp in Norman — isn’t just limited to position battles on offense and defense.

Venables has preached that players need to create value for themselves across the board, special teams and scout team included.

Through three games in 2023, special teams has been a strength for Oklahoma in large part due to the contributions from both starters and rotational players alike.

“I think our coaching staff does a really nice job,” Venables said. “… I really think we have great drills that are very applicable for the guys, got great buy-in from our players.

“… Our players at the end of the day, they’re the ones that are out there playing and straining and blocking and being detailed and precise. So I think it’s a combination of all those things. But the players buying into it, as much as anything.”

Younger players have found a role on special teams already.

Linebacker Samuel Omosigho is one of many who have used their athleticism on punt coverage and return.

Venables even singled out sophomore safety Robert Spears-Jennings, who has worked his way back onto both special teams and in the secondary rotation coming off a shoulder injury that limited him in camp.

“Seventy (players) is all you’re allowed to travel,” Venables said. “So creating value for yourself as a player, even if you’re not a starter, is important, so you can separate and get on the bus. It’s a big deal.

“… (Robert Spears-Jennings) had 19 special teams plays last week. He was our special-teams player of the week last week. I think he had roughly 28 defensive snaps, so you’re just south of 50 snaps.

“By creating a lot of value, being on three units, developing confidence and accountability and all those things that will help transition, too, when you do get in as a player. Helps your confidence and everything that you’re doing.”

The Sooners and the Bearcats will be featured in Fox’s primary spot this weekend, with kickoff coming at 11 a.m. on Saturday. 

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